Northumberland County Council has acquired historic records at auction, shedding light on Morpeth’s past and its tradesmen’s lives.
There are ten volumes in total, with the first one dating back to 1608. It covers the time of James I, the first Stewart Monarch. These records detail the “Company of Merchants and Tailors of Morpeth” up until the early 20th century.
This company was one of seven craft guilds in town. They managed certain trades and supported their members and families. The auction price was £1,800, mostly funded by a grant from the Friends of the Nation’s Libraries.
Jeff Watson, a councillor, shared how these hand-written records offer a peek into the lives of everyday tradesmen. He mentioned that guild members acted like an unelected council, making key decisions for the town’s growth.
These volumes are a treasure for family and community historians. They include details about apprenticeships, payments to widows, and even funeral costs. It’s fantastic that these ancient documents are now safe for future generations.
We don’t know yet when these volumes will be on display. But if you’re interested, you can check out records from four other guilds for free at Woodhorn, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park in Ashington. No appointment needed!
Want to stay updated? Join our Northumberland WhatsApp community for the latest news straight to your phone. Just click the link and hit ‘join community’.
Your privacy is respected, and only the ChronicleLive team can send messages. Plus, we offer special deals and promotions to our community members. If you ever want to leave, it’s easy to do so. Just click the group name and choose ‘exit group’.
Curious about our privacy practices? Feel free to read our privacy notice.